CATHAY Pacific Airways has lifted the wraps off its new showpiece headquarters at Chek Lap Kok. Main contractors will be appointed for the $3.5 billion complex next month. The complex is one of the most sought-after building projects in the territory and has attracted keen interest from foreign and domestic construction companies shortlisted by the airline. Cathay Pacific has assembled a five-man team to project-manage the construction to ensure work is completed on time. Phase one, to provide about 271,000 square feet of offices, is due for occupation by June 1998 to coincide with the start of the MTR service to Chek Lap Kok. This initial stage will provide space for flight operations, flight engineering, in-flight services, staff catering and associated facilities. The remaining office space of about 750,000 sq ft will be ready in October 1998. When the offices are completed, Cathay's operations will be under one roof for the first time since the airline was created in 1946. A 500-bed staff hotel next to the office building should be ready by August 1998. Plans for the development were drawn up by an all-British team of the architects Llewelyn-Davis, structural engineers Harris & Sutherland and the quantity surveyor Widnell. Ian Hunt, Cathay Pacific project manager, said contracts for the cladding, lifts and escalators have been awarded and advance foundation works on the 3.34-hectare site have largely been completed. Far East Aluminium will supply and install the glass curtain walling and other cladding material. Schindler has a contract to provide lifts and escalators. Further orders for heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and electrical and fire protection works will be awarded soon. Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing between Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair) and the Airport Authority to agree lease terms for the airline's headquarters at Chek Lap Kok. A site on the eastern headland has been earmarked for the complex, but talks are complicated because the authority wants to use the area for storage for as long as possible.